The truck is not riding so great lately so I am going to treat myself to some new shocks. After reading a bunch of threads it looks like Bilstein shocks are the way to go.

Can anyone verify if these are the shocks I should be ordering? http://store.topguncustomz.com/Store...193574766&ai=y

I have a 2004 Lariat 4X4 Supercab. The description at the top of the page says the shocks are for '04-08 trucks then lower on the page it says '05-07.

 

Yes sirry bob

 

Great. Thanks!

 

what do you guys think of these: http://store.topguncustomz.com/store...82&i=193821846 ?


Can i use these or do i need a lift first?

 

You need a lift first...shocks do not necessarily give "lift" (there are a few exceptions..Bilstein 5100, etc.). Shocks provide a downward force on the wheel to create a smoother ride with no "hopping" when you hit a bump or pothole or anything. Someone correct me if I am wrong here please.

 

PD143: Those 4-6" Bilsteins will ONLY fit trucks with "6 inch lifts".........meaning the lower control arms are dropped down 6 inches. They will NOT work on a "4 inch lift".

Ryan: Not trying to flame you.....but you asked....... Shocks don't provide any downward force (that would be the springs). Shocks mainly control rebound. Meaning they push together really easy, but are very hard to pull apart (see other post titled OEM shocks). When you hit a bump, the wheel moves up and energy is stored in the coil spring. When the wheel begins to move back down, the shock converts that energy into heat. Without the shock, all that stored energy would be released back into the wheel......pushing the tire back into pavement with nearly the same amount of force as the original bump. This loads the tire and the tire bounces back like a basketball, loading the spring again........and the process repeats. The tire keeps hopping until all the energy is expended.

 

Cool, thanks for clearing it up. I thought springs provide the upwards force, like leafs to deal with loaded bed weight and provide an opposite, supporting force, and coils up front to deal with front end weight, pushing up, and the shocks force the wheel downward to basically follow the contors of the road. The shock absorbers dampen the unsprung weight of the wheel up and down.

 

My Bilsteins arrived a few days ago. The directions don't say but I am assuming that if I want to run at stock height I put the clip around the bottom ring on the shock tube and if I want to run with 2" lift I put the clip around the top ring?

 

Those are it. Not the 4 - 6" lifting ones.

 

Correct

 

Are the Bilsteins 5100 series better than a 2.5 level kit & do you need an alignment.

 

Top Gun Customs has an E-bay store. Those shocks are on there for a lot cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Bilstein-Shock...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Actually, those aren't the ones that are being talk about, those are for 4-6" of lift and he has the 0-2". Either way, looks like both are 10 dollars cheaper on their ebay store then their site, but shipping is 19 dollars. I think if you order from their site shipping is cheaper, possible free (not sure on that one though). Regardless, nice find but wouldn't call a 10 dollar difference a lot cheaper

 

Search . You'll need an alignment anytime you go up in height (or down for that matter) so yes, you'll need an alignment with either. Bilsteins will give you a better ride and control then the factory shocks with a leveling kit. Do you need new shocks? If not, might want to just go with the leveling kit for now. If you need new shocks or just simply want better ones, Bilsteins might be the way to go

Edit: I'm assuming by your screen name you are a 2wd. If that the case I'm not sure if the Bilsteins would work for you, so search around cause I don't feel like it

 

That was for the shocks for the last link he posted, here are the one's for the first link, the 2". Either way it's only $10. I was looking at price for my model year and they are a lot cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Bilstein-Strut...QQcmdZViewItem